2012 Elections

Note: Election information listed on this page does not pertain to 2012 presidential elections. For more about Ballotpedia's areas of coverage, click here.For election results in the 50 states, see our November 6, 2012 election results page

Eligibility to Vote

Primary election

South Carolina was one of 16 states to use an open primary system. In a runoff election, however, voters had to stick with the same party they voted in for the first round of elections that year. Voters were required to register to vote in the primary by May 12, 2012, which was 31 days before the primary took place.[1] (Information about registering to vote)

Voting absentee

Eligibility

In order to qualify for an absentee ballot, voters in South Carolina must provide a valid reason they cannot make it to the polls on Election Day. The following voters are qualified for an absentee ballot:[5]

“

Students attending school outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them

Members of the Armed Forces or Merchant Marine serving outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them

Persons serving with the American Red Cross or with the United Service Organizations (USO) who are attached to and serving with the Armed Forces outside their county of residence and their spouses and dependents residing with them

Persons who, for reasons of employment, will not be able to vote on Election Day

Physically disabled persons

Government employees serving outside their county of residence on Election Day and their spouses and dependents residing with them

Persons with a death or funeral in the family within three days before the election

Persons who plan to be on vacation outside their county of residence on Election Day

Certified poll watchers, poll managers, and county election officials working on Election Day

Overseas Citizens

Persons attending sick or physically disabled persons

Persons admitted to the hospital as emergency patients on Election Day or within a four-day period before the election

Persons serving as a juror in state or federal court on Election Day

Persons sixty-five years of age or older

Persons confined to a jail or pre-trial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial[6]

”

—South Carolina State Election Commission

Deadlines

To vote absentee, a request must be received "no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fourth day prior to the election." The ballot must then be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day.[5]

Military and overseas voting

Voting early

South Carolina is one of eight states that allow early voting but require an excuse to vote early. Early voting begins as soon as ballots become available and ends at 5 p.m. the day prior to Election Day. To vote early you need to provide an excuse for why you will be unable to vote at the polls during normal voting hours. Those who qualify for an absentee ballot also qualify to vote early.[7][8]